Method and apparatus for disintegrating raw materials



Nov. 30, 1954 J. J. DENOVAN arm.

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR DISINTEGRATING RAW MATERIALS Filed Jan. 2, 1951 2 Sheets-Sheet l N 1954 J. J. DENOVAN ETAL 2,695,755

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR DISINTEGRATING RAW MATERIALS Filed Jan. 2, 1951 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 adj/2M United States Patent METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR DISINTEGRAT- ING RAW MATERIALS John J. Denovan, Lachine, Quebec, and Robert A. Denovan, Sherbrooke, Quebec, Canada ApplicationJanuary 2,1951, Serial No. 204,034

8 Claims. (Cl. 241-4) This invention relates to a method and apparatus for disintegrating raw materials and, more particularly, for removing individual fibers from masses of fibrous materials.

The invention is particularly applicable to the treatment' of asbestos ore. Various types of machines are available. for fiberizing such ore. A most desirable function of such machines is that the asbestos fibersbe separated thereby from the natural bundles of fibers with a minimum degree of injury to the individual fibers whereby they are released in long, unbroken condition. Many attempts have been made to achieve this desirable function with some measure of success. i

It is an object of this invention to provide a method and means for separating individual fibers from masses of fibrous material in a practical, convenient manner and whereby an optimum percentage of long undamaged fibers is obtained. A further object is to provide a compact, effective fiberizing machine of simple, practical construction.

The invention contemplates the provision of a gravitational flow of fibrous ore in a substantially vertical direction, the subjection of the ore during such flow to a series of impacts in each of a plurality of vertically spaced zones to loosen the coherence of the fibers in the ore, and the continuous treatment of the flow of ore with a plurality of air currents following movement through each of the zones to separate loosened fibers from the ore substantially immediately following the loosening impact, thereby preventing further damaging impacts in succeeding zones.

The invention will be described with referenceto the accompanyingdrawings, in which Figure 1 is a sectional elevation of a machine in accordance with the invention,

Figure 2 is an enlarged sectional plan view on line 2-2 of Figure 1,

Figure 3 is an enlarged plan view of a bame segment, Figure 4 is a sectional end elevation on line 4-4 of Figure 3, i i i Figure 5 is a front elevation of the baflle segment, Figure 6 is an enlarged side elevation, partly in section, of a hammer mounting, and Figure 7 is an enlarged partial section, of the hammer mounting.

In the drawing, 1 is a cylindrical casing having atop closure plate 2 and a conical bottom portion 3 leading to an axial discharge outlet 4.

The casing is lined with a plurality of superimposed rings each of which is preferably of segmental character for ease of manufacture, assembly and maintenance. The bottom or lowermost ring 6 is seated upon an annular flange 5 provided at the top of conical portion 3 and comprises a plurality of segments 6', which may be bolted to the casing wall as shown. Each segment 6 carries substantially midway between its endsaradially inwardly directedfinger or baflie 7, one of the lateral faces of which is radially grooved at 8 to providela generally concave surface. Preferably, the inner surfaces of the segments are downwardly inclined, as indicated at 9, to direct downwardly. the material under treatment.

plan view, partly in Seated upon ring 6 is a second liner ring. 10, the lower edge of which is preferably in interlocking engagement with the upper edge of ring 6, as shown at 11. Ring 10 is composed of a plurality of segments 10' having a serrated or saw-toothed inner surface 12 a Seated upon ring; 10,, andmfixed to'thecasing is athird ice . 2 bafile ring 13, the edge of which is in interlocking engagement with the upper edge of ring 10, as shown. Ring 13 is composed of a plurality of segments 13', the structure of which is clearly shown in Figures 3, 4 and 5. Each segment has an end wall 14 which carries a pair of vertically aligned baffles 15, which are radiallyinwardly. disposed. One lateral face of each. baffle 15 r is grooved at 16 to provide a generally concave surface. By reference to Fig. 2, it will be observed that the baflles 15 are circumferentially spaced or staggered with respect to bafiies 7. Each segment 13' has a rear wall 17, an inwardly extending horizontally disposed lower wall 18, and a downwardly inclined upper wall 19, the lower edge of which is spaced from the inner edge of wall 17 to provide a circumferentially extending opening 20. 'The rear wall 17 is open at 21 and the casing 1 has a complementary registering opening 22 to provide an air inlet or passage, the outlet of which is constituted by the 1 opening 20. As clearly shown in Fig. 2, the openings 20= in the ring 13 provide a substantially continuous annu-- lar air outlet interruptedonly by the end walls 14.

Any desired number of baflle rings 13, separated by liner rings 10, may be provided in the casing. In the embodiment illustrated, two such rings are employed, thus providing two vertically spaced annular air passages. A baflle ring 6 is provided at the top end of the casing. Each segmental ring described is shown as comprising eight segments, which has been found to be a satisfactory arrangement, but the number of segments and baffles 7 and 14 may be varied as required.

Extending axially through the casing is a stationary shaft 23, the lower end of which is supported in frame member 24, and the upper end of which is supported by a bracket 25. A tubular hub 26 is rotatably mounted on the shaft by means of a lower bearing housing 27 and volve between the upper series of baflies '7 and the adjacent series of bafiles 15. Also mounted on the hub for revolution therewith are a plurality (two as shown) series of radially extending hammers 31, the free end portions of which are arranged to revolve between the adjacent series of baffles 15 and 7. While the number of hammers in each series may vary, six has been found to be a satisfactory number.

A convenient and preferred means for mounting each series of hammers 30 and 31 on the hub comprises a plurality (four as shown) of radially extending lugs 32, and upper and lower annular plates 33 and 34, each having arespective central opening 33' or .34 of suffi-. cient diameter to enable the plate to be passed over the lugs 32 on the hub. Each plate is provided with a plurality of complementary lugs 35 extending inwardly from the edge of openings 33 and 34. pair of plates 33 and 34 are positioned with each pair of their lugs 35 in engagement with a lug 32 lying therebetween and the lugs 35 are appropriately fixed to the lugs 32 as by welding. I

The inner end of each hammer 30 and 31. is pivotally secured between a respective pair of plates 33 and 34 by means of a pin 36 which extends through the inner end of the hammer and registering openings 37 and 38 in the Plate 33 is provided with a raised portion 39 extending around each opening 37, such raised .portion 39 being recessed at 40 on its inner edge to respective plates.

receive a laterally extending lug 41 constituting an offset head of each pin 36. The lower end of each pin 36 engages an annular flanged edge portion 42 of plate 34.

The lower end of each pin is notched at 43 to receive It i ;:.their,radius. of revolution is somewhat shorter than. that 2,695,755 Patented Nov. 30,1954.

On assembly, each of hammers 31. Each hammer and 31 has its lateral faces grooved as indicated at and 46' to provideconcave impact surfaces thereon.

Closure plate 2 is provided with an axially offset ore chute-4.7; which as shown is located. directly above. the path.- of movement of the impact surfaces: of the hammers 30 Bottom. portion 3 constitutes a discharge: hopper andthe outlet; 4- may be connected to a cylindrical. vertically disposed chute 48' forming, the axial. inlet: passage of a concentrator 49; Chute 48 discharges onto: a: conical. bafiieSO carried. by ashaft' 51 and located o'elow and in spaced relation. to the. lower end of. chute 48. Alsocarried by'shaft 51- is an annular baffle 52 of frustro-conical shapeand arranged below andlin spaced relation to baffle 50. The: outer periphery of baffle 50 preferably overlaps. to a slight degree the'upper periphery of baffle 52. Means: for adjusting; the vertical elevation of baifies 51) and). 52 may be provided and, as shown, comprises a transversely extendingshaft 53 connected to the lower end ofthe'shaftthroughgears 54.-

Located below bafiie 52- is an additional bafile 55 of inverted. frustroi-conical shape, the upper periphery of which. isfixed to the concentrator casing, as shown. It will be observed that the. upper periphery ofv baffie 55 is of substantially greater diameter than'that of the lower periphery of. bafile 52, whereby material discharged from the surface of bafile 52.n1ay be deposited upon the inner surface of baffle 55. A waste discharge chute 56' is located in the bottom wall of the concentrator. mouthof the chute is flared as indicated at 57 to receive the discharge from the lower end of bafile 55. More.- over, the mouth of chute 56 is spaced below the lower end of bafile SS-toprovide a free space therebetween'.

Below bafiie 56 andgenerally. opposite the mouth portion of chute 55. is an air inlet 58 in the side wall of the concentrator. The inlet may be provided with a .valve 59.. An. air and fiber outlet 60 is. provided in the side. wall. of. the concentrator at the upper end thereof.

Access to the upper section of casing 1- containing. the. hammersSG. and 31 and cooperating baffle and lining rings is preferably provided by forming the front semicylindrical halfv of this section as two-doors 61 hinged at 62.to the semi-cylindrical back half of the section.

Inoperation, air under pressure is admitted tocasing 1 throughthe two series of circumferential openings 20 and through opening.- 58 in any suitable manner (not shown). A satisfactory rate of air flow through open ing s- 20. is 5000 cubic feet'per minute, and through inlet 58,15,000 cubic feet per minute. With the hub 26 driven to revolve the hammers 3t) and 31, centrifugal" force.

normallymaintains the latter in radially extended posia tion,., but due to their pivotal mounting, they are free.

as iron and the like, come in contact therewith. Ore

isfed. through chute 47 directly into the path of the upper series of hammers 30, which, since they are. heavier and.- revolve-through a smaller orbit, have a lower. velocity" than-that ofv hammers 31. Thus, their impact on! the pieces of ore is less intense and, to a proportional degree, their damaging effect on the: first release of fibers from the ore is less. It will be observed that the series of hammers 30 (as well as each series of hammers 3.12) is located laterally opposite a serrated liner ring. it), vlvlhich cooperates with the hammers to release fibers-from t e ore.

The pieces. of ore, following the. initial impacts. of hammers 30, are subjected to an air sweepingactionby the current of. air flowing in through the upper circumferential openings 20 before coming into contact with the next series of hammers 31. removed from the pieces of ore by the air sweeping action and. the possibility of damage thereto avoided. A similar air sweeping action takes place following. the succeeding application of impact blows by hammers 31.

It-will be observed that the concave surfaces of the baffles 7 and 15 face in the same circumferential direction, which is opposite. to the direction of revolution of the hammers 30 and 31. These surfaces are thus arranged to engage the pieces of ore following their impact with the hammersand thereby remove the rotational velocity therefrom priorto its passage through the succeeding air-sweeping stage whereby more effective sweeping'actioneis possible.

Following treatment .of the one by the loweriseries of The Thus, loosened fibers are of ore; aswell as foreign material, are discharged through" hopper 3 into the concentrator 49. The material is subjected to a relatively strong current of air in the concentrator, which, because of the arrangement of bafiles and, as indicated by the arrows, is directed through the falling material at various levels during its progress through the concentrator. The air current, carrying the released fibers, emerges through outlet 60, where it is conducted to a fiber collector of usual type. It will be appreciated that the air current may be arranged in a substantially closed circuit.

Pieces of ore from which fibers have not been completely released, as well as any tramp objects in the ore, are discharged through chute 56.

There has thus been provided a simple compact fiberizing machine wherein the material under treatment flows by gravity, (1) through a fiber releasing device and (2) through anair concentrator. In the fiber releasing, device, the material is subjected in successive zones to a series of impacts and immediately following treatment in each of the zones and before progress of the falling an air sweeping action to remove releasedfiber from the pieces of material. I

The embodiments of the invention in which an ex elusive property or'privilegeis claimed are defined as follows:

1. A method of. fiberizing asbestos ore which comprises; providing a substantially unhindered gravitational flow of said ore, applying in vertically spaced relation a plurality of series of impacts to said ore while in freely falling state in said flow to loosen fibers in said ore, and horizontally directing an air current across said flow immediately followingand directly below each said application of impacts and before progressof the ore to the next said: application of impacts to sweep loosened fibers from said ore.

2. A method-of fiberizing asbestos ore which comprises providing a substantially unhindered perpendicular gravitational flow of said ore, applying in a plurality of ver-- ticallyspaced horizontal planes a series of impacts to said ore while in freely-falling state in said flow to loosen fibers in said ore, and horizontally directing an air current entirely across said flow offalling ore immediately following the application of impacts in each said plane and beforeprogressof the ore to the application of impacts inthe next said plane to sweep loosened fibers from said ore.

3. An asbestosore fiberizing machinecomprisinga generally vertically disposed cylindrical casing having, side and top;walls, a driven cylindrical member axially mounted within the casing, and a plurality of. series of substantially horizontally and radially disposed impact hammers pivotally carried by said driven member for horizontalswing-ingmovement withinthe casing, the free end portions of said hammers being spaced-fromthe opposed surfaces of said side wall to permit unrestricted gravitational-flowof said hammersbeing; disposed between said plates, a pin extending through each hammer and pairof plates, means carried-by; the. upper plate for lockingv the heads of said pins thereon, the 'lower ends of.- said pins each having a notch. therein,. and a: spring ring engaging saidv notches to releasably retain. said pins in position.

5 Arfiberizing machine asdefined in claim- 3, includin a plurality'of. superimposedv segmental lining rings fixed to the: inner wall of said"casing,.each'alternate ring being disposed laterally opposite arespective series of hammers and'fhaving a serrated surface thereon, the-remaining rings carrying; radially inwardly directed baflles, the lateral sur faces-of said bafiles facingin one'circumferentialdirection being concave; and saidhammershaving concave impact surfaces thereon. I v

6.: A fiberizing machine as defined in claim 3'," said casing having an interior side wall surface for engagement by ore thrown off by said hammers, the space between the free ends of the uppermost series of hammers and the opposing portion of said side wall surface being greater than that between the free ends of each remaining series of hammers and the opposing portion of said side wall surface, each hammer in said uppermost series being of greater weight than each hammer of the remaining series of hammers.

7. A machine for removing fibers from asbestos ore comprising a generally vertically disposed casing having a top wall and an aXialy ofiset ore feeding inlet in said top wall, a driven cylindrical member axially mounted within the casing, a plurality of series of impact hammers pivotally carried by said member for rotative movement there with, said series of hammers being arranged in successive horizontal planes to provide a series of horizontally disposed zones of impact for said ore, said casing having a plurality of annular interior side wall surfaces of substantially equal diameter each in opposed relation to the free ends of one of said series of hammers to receive ore thrown ofi by said hammers, the free ends of each said series of hammers being spaced from the respective opposed side wall surface to provide unrestricted gravitational flow of ore therebetween, and means forming a plurality of circumferentially arranged and horizontally directed air inlets in said casing disposed between each adjacent pair of said impact zones to provide a zone of horizontally directed air sweeping following each of said impact zones.

8. A fiberizing machine as defined in claim 7, including baffle means for reducing the rotational velocity of said ore comprising a plurality of radially inwardly directed fingers carried by said casing between each of said impact zones and adjacent air sweeping zone.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 248,923 De Champ Nov. 1, 1881 492,720 Frey -2 Feb. 28, 1893 944,670 Emerick Dec. 28, 1909 1,028,867 Emerick June 11, 1912 1,145,772 Josey et a1. July 6, 1915 1,212,418 Sturtevant Jan. 16, 1917 1,586,282 Bryant May 25, 1926 1,621,869 Bryant Mar. 22, 1927 2,446,786 Redhead Aug. 10, 1948 2,529,679 Dodds Nov. 14, 1950 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 279,206 Italy Nov. 5, 1930 530,253 Germany July 24, 1931 634,857 Germany Sept. 4, 1936 

